Methods of separating articles



United States Patent [54] METHODS OF SEPARATING ARTICLES 2 Claims, 11Drawing Figs.

52 us. Cl. 198/33, 214/152, 193/43 [51] Int. Cl 865g 47/24 [50] Field ofSearch l98/33R1,

20 /0b /00 A9 /0b [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,149,5958/1915 Pipe et a1 214/8.5(E) 2,657,812 11/1953 Fox 2l4/8.5(E-) 2,760,6798/1956 Chadderton et al.. 198/33(.1)X 3,042,181 7/1962 Rise 198/33(.1)FORElGN PATENTS 348,854 10/1960 Switzerland l98/33(.l)

Primary Examiner-Gerald M. Forlenza Assistant Examiner-Frank E. WernerAttorneys-PU. Winegar, RP. Miller and Don P. Bush ABSTRACT: Methods ofseparating interconnected articles such as, for example, coil-typesprings having entangled intermeshed convolutions. Coil-type springshaving entangled intermeshed convolutions are fed vibratorily' axiallyto the entrance of a suction tube whereafter the entangled springs. aredrawn through the tube and propelled at a high velocity and in a randomposition against a target surface which causes the entangled springs tooscillate to facilitate the spreading apart and working of theconvolutions of the springs so that the springs work free of each other.

@2 5 W MILE-g Patented Nov. 24, 1970 3,542,185

Sheet 5 of 3 1 METHODS OF SEFARATING ARTICLES BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to methods ofseparating articles and 5 more particularly relates to methods ofseparating interconnected articles.

2. Description of the Prior Art In the manufacture of various types ofproducts, numerous component parts are assembled to form the products.Frequently, the component parts are pretreated and handled prior toassembly with the other component parts of the associated products.During the pretreating and handling of the component parts, the partsfrequently cling undesirably in such a way that a separation process isrequired to separate the clinging parts before the parts can beassembled with other componentparts of the products.

Spiral articles, such as coil-type springs, are frequently utilized as acomponent part in many types of products. One type of product utilizingcoil-type springsis communications protector units such as the unitdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,319,316, issued to .I. B. Geyer on May 16,1967. In the assembly of the communications type protector unit,individual coil springs are assembled with other elements to provideresilient features required for the proper functioning of the protectorunit. Various methods of assembling the coil springs with the remainingelements of the protector units are utilized including manual andautomatic loading operations. Frequently, in pretreating and handling,the coil springs become entangledand cling together in such a way thatthe convolutions of one coil spring are captured between theconvolutions of another coil spring thereby necessitating a separatingoperation before the springs can be assembled with the remainingelements of the protector units.

Manual separation of theentangled springs is extremely difficult, timeconsuming, tedious and results in a costly operation where a largevolume of product is to be manufactured.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Another object of this inventionis to providenew and improved methods of untangling spiral articles.

Still another object of this invention is to provide new and improvedmethods of separating spiral articles having entangled convolutions.

A further object of this invention is to provide new and improvedmethods of setting up oscillations in groups of spiral articles havingentangled intermeshed convolutions.

A still further object of this invention is to provide new and improvedmethods of lubricating groups of entangled spiral articles and thensetting up oscillations in the spiral articles so that when theentangled spiral articles are oscillating, the con-v volutions thereofspread apart to facilitate relative movement i between intermeshedlubricated convolutions of the groups of entangled spiral articles.

A method of separating entangled spiral articles includes the step ofsetting up oscillations in the articles so that con- 'volutions of thearticles are expanded and compressed rapidly to facilitate theseparation of the articles. In addition, the

spiral articles can'be flexed about their axes to further facilitate theseparation of the articles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING Other objects and features of thepresent invention will be more readily understood from the followingdetailed description thereof when read in conjunction with accompanyingdrawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a view showing a spiral article of the type which articleswhich may be separated in accordance with the principles of theinvention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an apparatus for separating groupsof entangled spiral articles in accordance with the principles of theinvention;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial front view of the apparatus of FIG. 4 withparts broken away to illustrate the separating of groups of entangledspiral articles;

FIGS. 6 through 9 are partial horizontal sectional views of theapparatus of FIG. 4 showing various sequences in which a group ofentangled spiral articles are separated;

FIG. 10 is a partial vertical sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 4showing the separation of a group of entangled spiral articles; and

FIG. 11 is a partial vertical sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 4showing the separation of a group of entangled spiral articles.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring now to FIG. 1, a spiral article, such asa coil spring, designated generally by the reference numeral 10' forms aportion of an assembled product such as a communications protector unitshown in the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 3,319,316. After a pluralityof the springs 10-10 are manufactured, the springs are then tumbledthrough a plating operation and packed closely in a container (notshown) whichis transported to an assembly station (not shown) where anoperator assembles the springs with other associated components of theprotector units. Due to the tumbling operation and the close packing ofthe springs 10-10 in the container, random groups of the springs, forexample a pair of the springs 10a and 10b as shown in FIG. 2, becomeentangled and cling together in such a way that adjacent portions ofsuccessive convolutions of the spring 10a become intermeshed andcaptured between adjacent portions of successive convolutions of theother spring 10b,

Referring now to FIG. 3, occasionally, three springs 10c 10d and 10sbecome entangled, with some of the convolutions of the spring 10dbecoming intermeshed and captured between some of the-convolutions ofthe spring 10c and other convolutions of the spring 10d becomingintermeshed and captured between some of the convolutions of the spring102. Before any of the springs 10-10 can be assembled with associatedcomponents to form the protector units, the groups of entangledspringsmust be untangled.

, Referring now to FIG. 4, an apparatus, designated generally by thereference numeral 11, for separating the groups of entangled springs10-10, is supported on a table, designated generally by the referencenumeral 12, and includes a vibratory feeder, designated generally by thereference numeral 13.

The apparatus 11 further includes a feed tube 14 and a target cylinder16 which is attached to and extends vertically through an aperture 15(FIG. 5) in a portion of the horizontal surface of the table 12. A cover17 is positioned on top of the target cylinder 16. The tube 14 isattached at one end thereof to the exit end of a feed track 18 of thevibratory feeder 13,. The other end of the tube 14 is positioned withina port 19 (FIG. 5) formed in the target cylinder 16 so that the bore ofthe tube communicates with the bore of the cylinder.

The tube 14 is formed with a branch tube 21 which converges with andextends angularly from the tube in a direction away from the targetcylinder 16. The bore of the branch tube 21 communicates with the boreof the tube 14 through a port 22 (FIG. 5) formed in an intermediateportion of the bore wall of the tube 14.

A supply of compressed air (not shown) is connected to the free end ofthe branch tube-21 so that when compressed air is released from thesupply, the air flows through the branch tube and into the portion ofthe tube 14 which extends between the tube 21 and the target cylinder 16and is further directed toward and exits into the cylinder. A pan 23 ispositioned removably under the table 12 so that a portion of the pan islocated beneath the target cylinder 16.

Referring now to FIG. 5, in the operation of the apparatus 11, thesprings 10-10 are deposited into the vibratory feeder 13 and are fedsubstantially axially successively onto the track 18 and include thegroups of entangled springs 10a and 10b (FIG. 2) and entangled springs10c, 10d and We (FIG. 3). The passage of the compressed air through thebranch tube 21 and the portion of the tube 14 extending between the port22 and the target cylinder 16 develops a suction at the entrance end ofthe tube adjacent to the track 18. As each of the individual springs ll0and the groups of entangled springs, for example springs 10a and 10b,exits from the track 18 and enters the tube 14, the individual springsand groups of entangled springs are drawn into and moved rapidly and inrandom orientation through the tube towardthe target cylinder 16.

As the individual springs l0l0 and the groups of entangled springs 10aand 10b and 10c, 10d and 10e travel through the tube 14, the individualsprings and groups of entangled springs are accelerated in randomposition through the tube and exit from the tube in random orientationinto the target cylinder 16 at a velocity of approximately 65 feet persecond. After exiting from the tube 14, the individual spring 1010 arepropelled through space along a path in alignment with the axis of thetube toward a target portion 20 of the bore wall of the target cylinder16 which is substantially opposite the port 19 and subsequently engagethe bore wall and fall, by gravitation, into the pan 23.

Referring now to FIG. 6, as previously noted, the groups of entangledsprings 10a and 10b (FIG. 2) exit from the tube 14 in a randomorientation. Frequently, the groups of entangled springs 10a and 10b arepropelled toward the target portion 20 of the target cylinder 16 in suchan orientation that one or both of the springs [00 and 10b eventuallystrike the target portion of the target cylinder violently randomly, forexample substantially in a broadside position along the length of thesprings. The groups of entangled springsl0a and 10b, which strike thetarget portion 20 of the target cylinder 16 substantially broadside, areflexed to conform substantially to the curvature of the bore wall of thetarget cylinder.

By virtue of the propelling movement of the group of entangled springs10a and 10 through the tube 14, the propelled group of springs possesskinetic energy. When the group of entangled springs 10a and 10b impactsviolently with the target portion 20 of the target cylinder 16, some ofthe kinetic energy possessed by the springs is transformed intopotential energy of deformation and various modes of oscillations areset up in the springs. Forces are developed axially of the springs 10aand 10b and the convolutions of the springs expand and contract as thesprings are deflected from the target portion of the target cylinder(FIG. 7). As the springs 10a and 10b expand and compress, some of theaxial forces are transferred into lateral forces due to the inclinationof opposed surfaces of adjacent convolutions of each of the springs.

As the entangled group of springs 10a and 10b oscillate, the inclinedopposed surfaces of adjacent convolutions of each of the springs aremoved toward and away from each other so that a camming action occurswhich forces the captured and intermeshed convolutions of one of thesprings outwardly from between the adjacent .convolutions of the otherspring. Additionally, some of the kinetic energy is transformed intoenergy which causes lateral flexing of the springs to occur and createforces which are directed substantially laterally of the axes of theentangled springs 10a and 10b to further facilitate the separation ofthesprings. I

Thus the setting up of the longitudinal oscillations and the lateralflexing of the springs in cooperation with the forces which are createdby the momentum ofthe group of entangled springs 10a and 10b facilitatesthe separation of the springs (FIG. 8). Even though the springs 10a and10b are separated, the springs continue to oscillate and flex (FIG. 9)and subsequently fall, by gravitation, into the pan 23 (FIG. The variousmodes of oscillations which are set up in the springs a and 1012 can belateral as well as longitudinal. Additionally, the flexing of thesprings 10a and 10b may also be lateral as well as longitudinal.

Referring now to FIG. 10, some of the groups of pairs of the entangledsprings 10a and 10b (FIG. 2) are propelled from the exit end of the tube14 so that the groups travel substantially axially of the springs 10aand substantially along the path which extends through the portion ofthe space of the bore of the target cylinder 16 which is in line withthe axis of the tube 14 and which extends to the target portion 20 ofthe bore wall.

of the target cylinder directly opposite the port 19. Subsequently, theleading end of the axially propelled spring 10a engages violently thetarget portion 20 of the bore wall of the target cylinder 16 with suchmomentum that the spring 10a tends to compress toward the target portion20 of the bore wall of the target cylinder. However, since adjacentportions of the convolutions on one side of the spring 10a areintermeshed with and encumbered by adjacent portions of the convolutionson one side of the spring 101), the spring 10a will only compress alongthe unencumbered side thereof.

As the unencumbered side of the spring 10a compresses, the spring 10abends along its axis so that the portions of adjacent convolutions onthe unencumbered side of the spring are urged together and the portionsof adjacent convolutions on the encumbered side of the spring are spreadapart. The bending of the'spring 10a about its axis results in a cammingaction, such as that previously described, where forces are developed tomove the spring 10b laterally away from the spring 10a. Due to themomentum .of the separated springs 10a and 10b, the springs are thrustagainst other portions of the bore wall of the target cylinder 16 andthen fall, by gravitation, into the pan 23.

Occasionally, one of the groups of entangled springs 10a and 10b, whichexit substantially axially from the tube 14, does not separate uponinitial impact with the target portion 20 of the target cylinder 16because the convolutions of the springs 10a are firmly and deeplyintermeshed and captured between the convolutions of the associatedentangled spring 10b and the springs continue to cling together.However, as previously noted, when the entangled springs 10a and 10bstrike the target portion 20 of the target cylinder 16 violently, thesprings begin to oscillate in various modes in such a manner that thesprings are compressing and expanding rapidly and are flexing. When thegroups of entangled springs 10a and 10b oscillate and flex, forces arecreated in a manner such as that previously described and facilitate theseparating of the springs. Thus, separation of each of the groups of theentangled springs 10a and 10b, which are propelled axially against thetarget portion 20 of the target cylinder 16, is assured even though thesprings may not separate upon initial impact.

It is noted that if the material which forms the convolutions of thespring 10b is not thick enough to fill the void between adjacentconvolutions of the spring 10a, the spring may compress axially ratherthan bend about its axis. However, oscillations will be set up in thesprings 10a and 10b in the manner previously discussed to facilitate theseparation of the springs.

The target portion 20 of the bore wall of the target cylinder 16 isconcave. However, the invention is not limited to a con cave targetsurface and will function with any shape of target surface which willimpede the travel of the propelled groups of entangled springs 10a and10b and facilitate the flexing and oscillating of the springs 10a and10b so that the entangled springs will separate. The cylindrical shapeof the target cylinder 16, however, facilitates the confinement of theseparated springs 10a and 10b so that the springs will subsequently fallinto the pan 23. Further, the concavity of the target portion 20 of thetarget cylinder 16 facilitates the flexing of the groups of entangledsprings 10a and 10b which aids in the subsequent separation of theentangled springs.

Infrequently, one of the groups ofentangled springs 10a and 10b may beclinging so firmly to each other that the springs do not separate afterinitial impact with the target portion 20 of the target cylinder 16regardless of the orientation of the group of springs upon initialimpact. The group of tangled springs a and l0b'is then deflected fromthe target portion of the target cylinder 16 and strikes another portionof the bore wall of the target cylinder. Usually,after the secondimpact, and with the oscillations, flexing and forces'that are occurringafter the initial impact, the springs will separate in the mannerpreviously described.

. Referring now to F IG. 3, as previously noted, occasionally anentangled group of three springs 10c, 10d and me is fed from thevibratory feeder 13 into the tube 14 and is subsequently propelled inrandom orientation from the exit end of the tube toward the targetportion 20 of the bore wall of the target cylinder 16. Thegroup ofentangled springs 10c, 10d

of the target cylinder 16 so that one of the springs, for example thespring 10a, may travel substantially axially of itself along a stream ofair over the track. However, as long as the springs 10-10 continuetomove past the feed shutoff device 24, the brief interruptions in thestream of air caused by the moving springs is insufficient path which issubstantially in alinement with the axis of the bore of the tube or thegroup of entangled springs may travel so that the springs strike thetarget portionof the target cylinder 16 substantially broadsidesTheseparation of the group of entangled springs 10c, 10d and 10a is theneffected in the manner described for the separation of two entangledsprings. r

Referring now to FIG. 11, as an example, when the leading end of thespring 10c of the group of entangled springs 10c, 10d and 10aengages'the target portion 20 of the bore wall of the target cylinder16, the spring 100 is flexed laterally and oscillations in the springsdevelop-in the same manner as previously described .for the separationof the groups of entanto epen the ressure-operated switch.

I. the bat; up of springs 10-10 occurs in the tube 14, for example dueto a binding of one of the groups of entangled springs 10a and 10b, someof the springs will stop on the track 18 adjacent to the feed shutoffdevice 24 and will block the stream of air, which is passing between thealigned apertures of thedevice, for a period sufficient to open thepressureoperated switch thereby stoppingthe operation of the apparatus11. An operator can then clear the backup of the springs l0-10 byremoving the group of springs which is binding in the tube 14 and startthe operation of the apparatus 11 to continue the spring separationprocess.

Us'e' of the apparatus 11 is not limited to the separation of spiralarticles such as groups of entangled springs l010. For example, othertypes of articles (not shown), such as flat discs which cling togetheralong adjacent opposed flat surfaces thereof after. being treated in aplating operation or stick gled springs 10a and 10b (FIGS. 2 and 10). Asthe spring 100 is flexed, the spring 10d, which is furtherentangled-with the spring 102, is'released from the spring 100 and i sthrust free 10a is released, the secondary group eitherseparates due tothe flexing and oscillations or is thrust randomly against anotherportion of the bore wail of the target cylinder'l6 to facilitate thecontinuation ofthe developed flexing and oscillations until separationof the springs 10d-and 10 e eventually occurs in the manner previouslydescribed.

' ,Tofurther enhance the separation of the groups of two and groups ofentangled springs 10a and 10b and 10c, 10d and 10e are depositedrandomly into a wire basket (not shown) and stance coatingthe springs.When the groups of twojand three entangled springs 10a and 10b and 100,and 10d and 102 are subsequently propelled against the target portion 20of the target cylinder 16, the wax coating on the springs provides aform of lubrication which enhances the separation process.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a feed shutoff device, designated generally bythe reference numeral 24, receives a stream of air from a feed tube 26and directs the air across the track 18 and in a path between alignedapertures in the device. After the stream of air is'directed across thetrack 18, the air passes into three entangled springs 10a, 10b and'10c,'a wax substance, sucha's microcrystalline wax, isdissolved in asolvent, such as t a trichlorethane solution, to form a lubricatingsolution. The

an'exit tube 27 and controls a pressure-operated switch (not shown)which is included in a circuit (not shown) for operating the apparatus11 and is closed when the stream of air together as'a result of surfacetension of fluid captured between the two contiguous surfaces, may bepropelled through the tube 14 and directed against the target portion 20of the target cylinder 1 6.'As a result of differences in the momentumof the individual articles when the attached articles strike the targetportion 20 of the target cylinder 16, forces are exerted on theindividual clinging articles so that the articles are moved relative toeach other and separation of the articles occurs.

his to be understood that the above-described arrangements are simplyillustrative of the invention. Other arrangements maybe devised by thoseskilled in the art which will embody the principles of the invention andfall within the spirit and scope thereof.

1 We claim:

l. A. method of separating groups of convoluted articles where theconvolution of the articles of each group are captured mutually betweenthe convolutions of the other articles of each of the groups, whichcomprises the steps of:

feeding successively each of the groups of articles to be separatedintoone end of an elongated passageway;

drawing successively each of the groups of the articles to be separatedfrom the one end into intermediate portions of the elongated passageway;

accelerating successively the successively fed groups of the articlesthrough the elongated passageway;

propelling successively the groups of the articles to be separated fromthe other end of the elongated passageway toward a surface so that eachof the groups of articles is propelled from the elongated passagewayindependently of and in spaced relation from the other groups ofarticles to bepropelled from the elongated passageway; and

causing the successively propelled groups of articles to strikeinitially the surface with sufficient velocity to develop forces as aresult of the momentum of the propelled articles so that the magnitudeand directions of the forces which are exerted upon various segments ofthe articles are sufficient to move the capturedconvolutions of thearticles of each group of articles from between the convolutions of eachother to separate the articles.

2. The method as set forth in claim 1, including the step .of

depositing a coating oflubricating substance onto the articles prior tothe striking of the surface with the articles so that the I lubricatingsubstance facilitates the separation of the articles and less force isrequired to be exerted upon the articles.

